The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-23
Pyinted b. Special Arrangement Copyrighted 1851
DID NOT MAKE.
BY WOOD RUFF CLARKE,
AUTHOR OF 'KLATAwA" THE YOUTHS COMPANION
$500 PRIZE STORY


AUTHOR OF .'KLATAwA" THE YouTH's COMPANION
$500 PRIZE STORY
After two seasons of hard toll, and two win
tors spent in the cold seclusion of those Col
orado mountains we gave up our silver mine
and abandoned the claim. was quite ready to
return Two years away from a razor two
years of bacon, BEANS syrup and canned corn;
two years of struggle with sour dough; two
years spent at an altitude where it takes six
hours boiling to cook potatoes astonishing phe-
nomenon to every tenderfoot), cured my mining
fever forevermore.
l joined the great procession which the rail
roads never advertise. the disguised ones
turning East or West from those silver lodes
with twisted backbones and empty pockets.
Home again. learned to my amazement that
cousin Brooks, once the most stupid boy that
ever gaped over his books. had just become Gov
ernor of the State!
When l went West to find an opening for my
money, Brooks was a sedate, hard working
lawyer. never supposed he would earn his
salt.
After becoming tolerably well acquainted with
mother again, and the boys, and making brief
the Capitol one day to Brooks. He greeted
me cordially. He always did like me. I sup
pose because used to help him out in his les
sons, between thrashings, although upon leav-
ing school bore a remorseful feeling that had
been unmercful to poor Brooks
He was in his official apartment at the State
room, lofty room with frescoed ceiling, huge
plate windows, elaborate furniture, library, and
elegant writing desks. He was sequestered by
ante.rooms and guarded by ushers, but I went
straight through to his presence without check,
while the clerks stared in surprise This was
because SO resembled Brooks that came upon
them like an appariiion, for he and were of a
similar form behind tho same ancestral nose.
Greeting over:
"And how are the Mines ChugP
"They are still there"
sYou have made your fortune West. HOPPER
mo. The West did pretty we'll; 1 didn't.
The West kept all 1 took there"
He looked at me doubtfully. Brooks never
quite understood my way of talking. Yet
speak clear classic English, always.
You haven't lost every cent, Chugs"
''Oh, no. If / can sell my mine for hundred
thousand am ali right"
Ills it good for anything?"
''Not that know Of"
"Hum!" Brooks was d fnelooking fellow
large, portly, benignant. kind hearted man
aged greatly, far more than l, Notwithstanding
all the vicissitudes and bacon had undergone
He seemed more serious, more fatherly, and APP
peared tired. He looked at me with something
of the old appeal in his face
Stay here and help me Chug / had to dis
charge my secretary yesterday. He was a
schemer, more anxious to win outside friends
than to do his duty by me- | want somebody
nh iS liahl txun nd
Probably l can put some perquisites in your
way, also"
AS kindness to Brooks consented
Tie led me over to a handsome work desk,
charged with innunerable pigeon holes, rolls of
red tape, seal stamps, wax and other vital ele-
ments of government. pile of letters and doe
nments already burdened the slope
] sat down before half-ream of selected mail,
my brief Instructions being for this heap, "Say
no to every want, but make friend of every
writer" This mountainous task strained my
early Sabbath-school training severely. How.
ever, evolved a general letter. applicable to
most OF these cases, and submitted 1t to Brooks.
He was good enough to praise its conciliatory
tact and gracious denial, add proceeded to du-
plicate the form and scatter No" broadcast.
An hour later Harold, our clerk, appeared a,
the door.
sT1ere is the prison delegation"
Brooks put down his documents and straight
ened up with great concern.
"Let me see what do they want2 Chug, there
is memorandum on your desk somewhere.
searched, and found the appointment slip
Tuesday IL A. M. Cedar County Delegation to urg
ameloraton of convcts
Brooks ran his hand through his hair.
why do they bother me now! Why can
they torture those fellows in the Legislature
and after they get in their bill come and ask m
approval9 Why consume my time for objec
30 remote2 What shall / do with EN-, Chue2
have more work here already than / can fnis
in good season."
'.Do!' exclaimed. rising theoretically ap
feeling something of the old scorn for him
sswhy, man, listen. Say: Fellow citizens, ar
Broud to meet you, glad to see the cause of on
criminals enlisting the sympathy of such able &C
vocates, and anything can do to farther tn
good work. be assured shall rejoice to do A
Che same time all government moves by routine
and must commend You to the usual proceed
dres Secure legislative action effectng til
ends you aim at and as feel sure the objet
will be,justitiable shall take pleasure in sig,
log your bill That's all Remain standing an
let them stand. Fidget to and fro from yot
desk Let them know you are in hurry a
though courteous and get rid of em quick"
''Cedar countyY unused Brooks II don
know anybody up there likely to be in this del
CATION. Chug, you lock good deal like m
You may receive these people. and act as Go
srnor"
4.No. thank you" said I. boiling to my des
and catching up the pen.
''Hal.o' cried Brooks with slow sarcasm
fYon can b-ag but not perform eh?"
This blunt reply stung me, It was quite n
Ike the Brooks of my school-days. / used
pride myself superior force. 1t would new
do to let him find me lacking nerve. or my o
ascendency would vanish wholly. So prompt
rose again.
"why, 1 can receive the delegation if W
really want me to, Brooks, but"
''All right, Chug. you may receive Their
Treat them we'll That will give me time to
over this paper, and must do 1t before noon "
| Was somewhat agitated. To confront the
4. fellows, face to face, grew every instant mo
.disagreeable to me. For two years had rust
in the mines. Probably this delegation CO
tanned preachers, lawyers, practiced spokesme
to answer whom would require moro than ME
audacity. But Harold stood looking on d.
picked and Brooks himself was peering fro
his papers with a covert smile. put bold ia
on 1t.
Here Harold, help me put these chairs in t
private ROOM" and seized an arm -chair in ca